STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It's difficult to fathom that longtime community leader Joseph R. Sciacca, the former deputy commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission, boxing division, and former vice chairman of the Republican Party Committee — who's dined with presidents, distinguished sports legends and world-renowed celebrities — has turned 97 years young as of July 14.

But it's all true.

And to mark the incredible milestone, the popular Staten Islander was lauded during a luncheon at Trattoria Romana, the Dongan Hills dining spot where he broke bread with friends Anthony San Fillipo,Joseph DiMartinis and Carmine Ragucci.

For starters, Joe and Anthony were neighbors when they were in their mothers' arms and their families lived on Cherry Street in the Little Italy neighborhood of Manhattan.

The Sciaccas and San Filippos relocated to Staten Island when they were just 7 and 3 years old, respectively.

The Sciacca's settled in Grant City — and within a short time, Joe became one of Staten Island's most highly regarded residents.

The San Fillipo's moved to New Dorp, where Anthony's dad opened the doors to a neighborhood barber shop.

In fact, their friendship never waned — they've kept in touch with one another ever since.

Joseph Di Martinis and Carmine Ragucci — the latter the former chair of the Richmond County Conversative Party, are both Staten Island natives, buddies who were Curtis High School classmates together.

So close were the cronies, that "Joe D" was bestowed the honor of serving as best man when Carmine and Lydia said their "I dos" back in 1955.

Carmine, dad of our source, Christopher Ragucci, recounts that he's known Joe Sciacca since 1973, at which time Sciacca recruited him to join the Boy Scouts of America right here on Staten Island.

And Carmine remembers clearly that throughout the years Sciacca was always a role model for him to emulate.

Sciacca some may recall, was key figure during the opening of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in November of 1964 and its subsequent dedication in '66, in addition to serving as co-chairman of the bridge's 40th-anniversary commemorative in November 2004.

And we know Sciacca will be on board in one capacity or another this November when all of Staten Island marks the 50th anniversary of the incredible span.